Char Dham Yatra 2021: State Govt Decides To Postpone Pilgrimage Complying With Uttarakhand HC Orders

The state government has decided to comply with the high court's initial decision and has cancelled the July 1st pilgrimage. 

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Government in compliance with the High Court's order has postponed the Char Dham Yatra with immediate effect till further orders. Retracting its late-night decision to continue with the pilgrimage despite the high court's stay order. 

The government has now issued a revised SOP.

Despite Uttarakhand High Court's order against holding Char Dham Yatra this year, the state govt in a fresh set of COVID guidelines last night said the first phase of the yatra will begin from July 1, while the second phase will commence from July 11. To join the yatra, COVID negative report to be mandatory.

However, now ANI reported that the state government has decided to comply with the high court's initial decision and has canceled the July 1st pilgrimage. 

The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday ordered a stay on the state Cabinet's decision to permit Char Dham Yatra with a limited number of pilgrims. The High Court said the decision has been made in the public interest.

A bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Verma, which passed this order after taking into account the imminent threat due to a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, has scheduled the next hearing in the case to July 7.

The High Court also suggested live streaming of the ceremonies so that devotees can witness the same from their homes.

The order came after Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat-led government had earlier on June 25 decided to allow pilgrims only from the districts in which the shrines are located from July 1. The state Cabinet had also mandated RT-PCR tests for the pilgrims, who would only be allowed in a limited number.